By Gorden Blain, SEPA FB Preview
The Southeastern Pennsylvania High School Football Preview magazine is now available for free at local WaWa stores. The annual preview included the Central League and the Tigers.
2011 Marple Newtown Outlook
Marple Newtown has a battle-tested nucleus of playmakers and linemen with Cimirrow Moat (5-10, 175, Sr., RB-DB), who rushed for 600 yards and three TDs and had 47 tackles last season, twin brothers Sean Ridinger (6-0, 190, Sr., OG-LB) and Jamie Ridinger (6-0, 185, Sr.), who returns at QB from an injury that cut his 2010 season short after he started the first five games,Chris Kurkian (5-7, 180, Sr., OG-DT), Joey Pham (5-10, 160, Sr., SE-DB),Ryan Schollenberger (6-0, 180, Sr., TE-LB), Parker Maas (5-10, 180, Jr., LB), nephew of former Pitt and Kansas City Chief lineman Bill Maas, and Ken Smith (6-1, 225, Sr., OT-DE).
“On the positive side, we have a chance to be a solid team,” says Head Coach Ray Gionta. “We have to overcome inexperience. If we can develop our line and passing game, we could be solid. We have a pretty good nucleus on defense. We need to improve our defense. We’ve been struggling the last couple of years.”
The ringleader on defense is the dymanic nosetackle Kurkian, a wrestler who had 42 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for losses in 2010.
“Kurkian’s so short, he’s going to stand out,” says Gionta. “He’s strong and quick. Has terrific leverage.”